Welcome to Week 6 of our journey to publish and promote Sh*t, I Need a Job!. This week, I’ve focused on two key strategies to increase visibility: crafting a press release with the help of AI and diving into paid promotions, with a focus on Facebook Ads. These steps are aimed at building awareness and reaching a wider audience.
Since we used artificial intelligence to help with the illustrations of this book, let’s see what we can do with other parts like promotion. A press release is something we can definitely utilize to our advantage to help with crafting. We’ll start with that next!
A well-written press release is a powerful tool to spread the word about your book. It allows you to announce your work to media outlets, bloggers, and influencers, creating buzz and opening doors to new opportunities.
How AI Helps with a Press Release
Using AI tools like ChatGPT, Jasper AI, or Writesonic can make drafting a press release quick and professional. Here’s how I approached it:
Gather Key Details:
- Book title: Sh*t, I Need a Job!
- Core theme: A satirical, adult-themed children’s book about the modern job hunt.
- Unique angle: The book was created in one month using AI for illustrations.
- Call to action: Where to buy the book and how to get involved (e.g., reviews, promotions).
Drafting the Release:
I used AI to create a polished draft, highlighting the book’s humor, relatability, and innovative use of AI in publishing. The result was a concise, engaging press release that I could personalize and send to targeted outlets.
Targeting Media:
With the press release ready, I compiled a list of potential contacts, including local news outlets, niche blogs, and industry publications. I’ll be sending it out this week and will share any results in future updates.
In addition to the aforementioned tips on how to prompt AI, I included the description I created and used for the back cover of the book. My hopes with including what I used on the back cover of Sh*t, I Need a Job! would be to show an example of the style of writing I expect the press release to mirror. After viewing what was created, I could tell right away the style of writing was copied, using the same mannerisms I would include in my writing. What I found interesting was how AI tended to use bold to emphasize certain words, something that I would sometimes do in my writing.
Check out the drafted press release below:
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:
Levi Leyba
[email protected]
levileyba.com
New Satirical Book, Sh*t, I Need a Job!, Offers a Hilarious Take on the Modern Job Hunt
Mesa, AZ, December 13, 2024 — Award-winning author Levi Leyba has launched his latest creation, Sh*t, I Need a Job! —a satirical, adult-themed children’s book that hilariously captures the universal frustrations of job hunting. Combining wit, sarcasm, and whimsical illustrations, this book is a must-read for anyone who’s faced the grind of endless applications, awkward interviews, and chaotic networking events.
What sets this book apart? Sh*t, I Need a Job! was published in just one month as part of a social media experiment. Using artificial intelligence for illustrations, Leyba documented his step-by-step process on social media, showing how authors without artistic backgrounds can still produce professional-quality illustrated books. “I wanted to prove that anyone, with the right tools, can bring their creative ideas to life,” Leyba explains.
Through the eyes of Bob, a relatable everyman navigating the absurdities of today’s job market, Sh*t, I Need a Job! takes readers on a laugh-out-loud journey. From the overwhelming “Jungle of Job Listings” to battles with the dreaded “Interview Monster,” Bob’s story resonates with job seekers, career changers, and anyone who’s ever needed to find work.
“Job hunting is a universal experience that can be incredibly stressful, but there’s humor in the chaos,” says Leyba. “This book is about finding a way to laugh through the frustration and keep going, no matter how many rejections you face.”
A Unique Blend of Humor and Creativity
The book’s innovative approach includes illustrations created with the help of Artificial Intelligence (AI), adding a modern twist to its storytelling. “Using AI allowed me to create visuals that perfectly matched the humor and relatability of the story,” Leyba explains.
Perfect for Adults in Transition
While Sh*t, I Need a Job! may look like a children’s book, it’s tailored for adults, especially:
- College graduates entering the workforce.
- Job seekers looking for a relatable escape.
- Fans of workplace humor and satire.
Availability
Sh*t, I Need a Job! is available now on Amazon and other major online retailers, including Barnes & Noble. Author-signed copies can also be requested through LeviLeyba.com.
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About the Author
Levi Leyba is an award-winning author and illustrator known for his engaging storytelling and creative approach to connecting with readers. Based in Mesa, Arizona, Leyba has written eight children’s books, two how-to guides, and now a satirical adult-themed children’s book. His work bridges cultural divides, inspires creativity, and brings laughter to readers of all ages.
For more information, visit LeviLeyba.com.
This week, I also started exploring paid promotions to reach a broader audience. For now, I’ve chosen to focus on Facebook, one of the most widely used platforms with robust ad targeting features. But before we start discussing what I did this week on Facebook, let’s check out other types of paid promotions to take advantage of.
8 Other Types of Paid Promotions for Authors Beside Facebook
While Facebook Ads are a fantastic starting point, there are plenty of other platforms and strategies that authors can leverage to promote their books. Each has its own strengths depending on your target audience, budget, and goals. Many of the platforms below will give you credit to try them out. Before you start advertising on any of the platforms below, check online to see if this is the case.
1. Amazon Advertising
Amazon Ads are one of the most effective ways for authors to promote their books directly to readers.
How It Works:
Amazon allows you to target readers who are already browsing for books. You can use Sponsored Products, Sponsored Brands, or Lock Screen Ads (for Kindle devices) to promote your book.
Best For:
Books with a specific niche or genre that can benefit from appearing alongside similar titles.
Tips:
- Start with automatic targeting to let Amazon’s algorithm identify the best keywords.
- Gradually refine your campaign with manual keywords based on performance.
- Use your book’s cover and compelling ad copy to grab attention.
2. Instagram Ads
Instagram, with its visual-first approach, is perfect for showcasing your book’s artwork or creating short, engaging videos.
How It Works:
Run image or video ads that appear in users’ feeds or Stories. Instagram’s targeting options let you focus on specific demographics, interests, or behaviors.
Best For:
Books with strong visuals, like illustrated books or those with eye-catching covers.
Tips:
- Create “carousel” ads to show off multiple illustrations or quotes from your book.
- Use hashtags to expand reach organically while running paid campaigns.
- Partner with micro-influencers to amplify your ads’ visibility.
3. Google Ads
Google Ads let you promote your book across Google’s vast network, including search results, YouTube, and partner websites.
How It Works:
Use keyword-based ads to appear when users search for relevant terms, or display ads on sites that cater to book lovers.
Best For:
Driving traffic to your author website, blog, or Amazon page.
Tips:
- Use highly specific keywords like “funny books about job hunting” or “adult-themed children’s books.”
- Set geographic and demographic filters to avoid wasting budget on irrelevant audiences.
4. Book Promotion Websites
Many websites specialize in promoting books to their established reader bases. Some of the most popular include:
- BookBub: A premium platform that targets avid readers with personalized recommendations. Their ads are highly effective but can be competitive.
- Reedsy Discovery: Great for getting early reviews and exposure among readers who love new releases.
- Fussy Librarian: Budget-friendly option that promotes your book via email to targeted readers.
- Booksprout: Helps you gather early reviews by connecting with ARC (Advanced Reader Copy) reviewers.
5. YouTube Ads
YouTube is a growing platform for authors, especially for promoting visually engaging books or sharing the story behind your book.
How It Works:
Run video ads that appear before or during YouTube videos or in search results.
Best For:
Authors who can create compelling book trailers or behind-the-scenes videos.
Tips:
- Keep videos short (15–30 seconds) and include a clear call to action (e.g., “Get your copy now!”).
- Target channels or topics related to your book’s genre.
6. TikTok Promotions
TikTok is an emerging platform for book promotion, especially among younger audiences and fans of humor or satire.
How It Works:
Create engaging, short-form videos or run paid promotions to increase visibility.
Best For:
Authors with creative flair who can use humor or trends to showcase their book.
Tips:
- Use TikTok’s “Promote” feature to boost posts that perform well organically.
- Collaborate with TikTok influencers in the “BookTok” community.
7. LinkedIn Ads
LinkedIn isn’t just for professionals—it’s a great platform to target audiences who resonate with themes like career challenges or personal growth.
How It Works:
Promote your book with sponsored posts or text ads that appear in users’ feeds or sidebars.
Best For:
Books with themes like job hunting, career advice, or workplace humor.
Tips:
- Share posts with relatable anecdotes or quotes from your book to spark interest.
- Target users in relevant industries or job roles.
8. Goodreads Giveaways
Goodreads is a social platform for book lovers, making it an ideal place to connect with readers.
How It Works:
Run a giveaway where users can enter to win a free copy of your book. Winners often leave reviews on Goodreads, boosting your book’s visibility.
Best For:
Gaining early traction for new releases or boosting awareness of an existing title.
Tips:
- Use the giveaway as an opportunity to build your audience on Goodreads.
- Encourage winners to share their reviews on other platforms, like Amazon.
By exploring these eight (8) additional paid promotion options, you can tailor your marketing efforts to fit your book’s target audience and expand your reach even further. Each platform offers unique opportunities, and experimenting with multiple channels can help you discover what works best for your book.
To start promoting on Facebook, I created a dedicated author Facebook page for Sh*t, I Need a Job! by following these steps (shoutout to Matt Holmes for his helpful YouTube tutorial):
- Log in to Facebook: From your personal account, click on “Create” and select “Page.”
- Page Details: Add a name (e.g., Levi Leyba, Author), category (e.g., Books & Literature), and description that highlights the book’s humor and audience.
- Add Branding: Upload a profile picture (photo of you or your book cover) and a banner image that captures you or the book’s theme.
- Optimize Settings: Set up contact details, links to purchase the book, and other relevant information.
Setting Up Paid Ads
Once the page was ready, I moved on to creating Facebook Ads with daily spending limits to control costs. Here’s how I set it up:
1. Go to Ads Manager: From your page, click on “Promote” or head directly to Facebook’s Ads Manager.
2. Choose a Goal: You can choose “Automatic” to let Facebook select the most relevant goal based on the settings you choose or select your own goal. Initially I wanted to get more website visitors (mainly over to the Amazon page where Sh*t, I Need a Job! is at), but it was recommended to get some likes before I do that. So this week, I chose to “Get more Page likes” as my goal.
3. Set a Budget: Start small, with a daily spending limit. Stay within your comfort zone with setting this amount. I opted to do $10 per day for 3 days to see how many likes I would get on this new author Facebook page.
4. Target Your Audience: I will use Facebook’s detailed targeting options to focus on demographics like:
- Job seekers (unemployed looking for work)
- Recent graduates or those who recently moved (might be looking for a job)
- Fans of humorous books or satire
5. Create Engaging Content: Write a compelling ad copy and pair it with eye-catching visuals, such as the illustrations from the book.
- Test and Adjust: Start with a small campaign and analyze the results. Adjust your targeting, budget, or ad creative based on performance.
- Engage with Comments: Respond to any interactions on your ads to create a sense of connection.
- Repurpose Content: Use snippets from your press release or past posts to keep your messaging consistent.
Next week, I’ll dive deeper into evaluating the performance of these strategies, including insights on which approaches worked best. I’ll also explore additional platforms for paid promotions and share any lessons learned. If you’ve been following along, I’d love to hear about your progress or any questions you have!
And if you have an Amazon account and would like to leave an honest review for Sh*t, I Need a Job!, please sign up here to be entered to receive a FREE copy!
Let’s keep pushing forward—there’s so much more to achieve!
